CS 71 
.G885 

1905 
ed. 4 
Copy 1 




MEMORIAL STONE 

Union Meeting House, Parker Ford, Pa. 

Unveiled, October 24, 1908 



program 



Invocation Rev. L. K. Evans, D. D. 

Family Hymn The Association 

Scripture Reading The Association 

Prayer Rev. Silas M. Grubb 

Unveiling of Memorial Stone 

Masters Robert Grubb and Henry Lincoln Wanger 

Presentation Chairman of Committee on Memorial Stone 

Acceptance President of Association 

Singing — "The Maple Leaf," 

Misses Gertrude, Dorothy and Rebecca Wanger 
(In honor of cur Canadian Brethren.) 

Oration . Martin G. Brumbaugh. Ph.D.. LL.D. 

Singing — ^"America,'* The Association 

Address Hon. S. VV. Pennypacker, LL.D, 

Reports 

Committee on Necrology, Rev. C. H. Slinghoff, Chairman 
Election of Officers, 
Singing — "God Be \\'ith Us 'Till We Meet Again" The Association 



There will be one session; the exercises to begin promptly at 2 
P. M, The place of meeting is a short distance from Parkcrford Sta- 
tion, on the Pennsylvania Railroad. 

Trains on that day will stop here going East 8,23. 11.50, 2.07, 4.30, 
7.11; West ion, 11.50. 2.07. 2.50, 5,15. 6.52, 9.16, 

Teams will meet the trains and will carry persons for five cents. 

Meals and light lunch can be secured on the ground at reasonable 
rates. 

As there is still a small amount due on ihc Memorial Stone, will 
those who have not contributed kindly send their remittance to Jonas 
S.Wagner, treasurer, Pottstown, Pa.? ,Any surplus in this fund will 
be used to care for the graves of others connected with the family. 



(ifttrrra 



President— Rev. X. P.. Gruhl), Philadelphia, Pa. 

First Vice-President — J. Acker Guss, Spring City, Pa. 

Second Vice-President — William I Grubb, Pottstown, Pa. 

Third Vice-President — Franklin Gro1)b. Brai.tford, Ont. 

Fourth Vice-President — Maj. Seneca G. Wiilauer. West Chester, Pa 

Fifth Vice-President — Henry T. Grubb, Fagleysville, Pa. 

Cor. Secretary and Historian — Geo. F. P. Wanger, Potts-town, P:i. 

Recording Secretary — Chas. Garfield Grubb, Philadelphia, Pa. 

Treasurer — Jonas S. Wagner, Pottstown. Pa. 



The fourth annual reunion of the Grubb Faniilv Asso- 
ciation was held at Parkerford. Chester County, Pa., on 
Saturday October 24, 1908. In connection with which a 
memorial stone was unveiled over the graves of Abraham 
and F^lizabcth Frey Grubl). The opening" exercises were held 
in the cemetery where promptly at the hour of 2 o'clock, 
the exercises were opened by Rev. X. B. Grubb. pastor 
First Mennonite Church of Philadelphia, the president of 
the Association, who calFd upon Rev. L. K. Fvans, D.D., of 
Pottstown. to invoke the di\ine blessing on the occasion. 

After the invocation, the family hymn, composed by Rev. 
Silas M. Grtil)b. pastor of the Second Mennonite Church of 
Philadclidiia. was sung by the Association to the tune of 
Xcttleton. 




REV. L. KRYDER EVANS, D. D. 
Pastor Trinity Reformed Church, Pottstown, Pa. 



GRUBB RE-UNION HYMN. 



By Rev. Silas M. Grubb. 



As we £2:ather in re-union 

Branch of Xoble P^amilv old, 
Grateful lineage of our fathers 

Deeds of good in us re-told. 
So the name of Grubb we honor 

In the daily walks of life, 
So perpetuate the blessings 

That in olden days were rife. 

In the martyrdom they suffered. 

In the years of lowly fame. 
There our fathers wrought the glory 

Of our noble honored name. 
Far in Denmarks early history 

Of our Lord's one thousandth year 
Sprung the line of goodly lineage 

That is represented here. 

To the blessed shores of Freedom. 

Came the scions of our race, 
Unmolested here to worship 

In the blessed land of peace. 
So came Henry Grubb our forebare. 

Seventeen seventeen was the time ; 
So upon this glad occasion 

Let your voice his praises chime. 

Now altho' afar they're scattered 

Through the countries of the earth, 
Theirs a heritage of blessing 

Theirs to further deeds of worth. 
As with mankind here we mingle. 

Let the name of Crrubb be known, 
Let the good deed of our fathers 

Evervwhere bv us be shown. 



Tune. — Austrian Hymn. 

Can also be sung to Xettleton — "Come Thou 
Fount of Every Blessing." 




REV. SILAS M. GRUBB 

Pastor Second Mennonite Church 

Philadelphia, Pa. 




REV. WILLIAM H. GRUBB 

Pastor Bethel Mennonite Church 

Perkasie, Pa. 



After the singinjc: <^t tlio I'aniily hymn, a scripture lesson 
v>as read by the Rev. C. 11. SHnmhoff, who selected Matthew 
5.i-i(). This was followed by a fervent jM'ayer, offered 
by Rev. \\'illiam IT. Cirnbb. pastor of I'cthel Mennonite 
Church of Perkasie. Pa. 

L'ntil now the memorial stone had been covered bv the 
Stars and Stripes, the .Anurican IHap:. The coverin.c: that 
veiled the stone was now remoxed by Masters Robert Roth 
Griibb of Philadelphia and Ilenr}- Lincoln \\'an,c:er of Potts- 
town, both fourth great grandsons of Abraham Grubb. Then 
George F. P. \\'anger of Pottstown. historian and corres- 
ponding recretary of the Association, presented the stone 
in the following words: 

"Mr. President and Members of the Grubb Family Asso- 
ciation. It is indeed a pleasant duty for your committee 
to present to you this granite memorial, erected in memory 
of Abraham, one of the sons of Henry Grubb. our pioneer 
ancestor of Frederick Township, and of his wife Elizabeth 
Frea or PTey. 

"Some years ago in passing through this cemetery we 
found that the stone at the head of the grave of Abraham 
Grubb was broken off and the location of the last resting 
place of our ancestor was liable to be lost. Then began the 
effort which culminates to-day in these unveiling exercises. 

"\\> believe it to be our duty to care for the graves of 
our ancestors and that the erection of this modest stone 
to-day is the beginning of a w ( rk which it is our bounden 
duty to perform. 

"In the meadow of the Faust farm in Frederick Town- 
ship. Montgomery County, lies the remains of Conrad 
Grubb, a brother of him to whose memory we erect tliis 
stone and Anna his wife. Xo fences mark tlie lines of the 
burial i")lot, cattle roam at will over the graves of our de- 
ceased kinsman. Something should be done for their pro- 
tection, either enclose the place with a permanent fence, or 




REV. CHARLES H. SLINGHOFF 
Pastor Brownbacks Reformed Church, Spring City, Pa. 




MR. GEORGE F. P. WANGER, Pottstown, Pa. 
Historian and Corresponding Secretary Grubb Family Association 



move the remains with the tombstones to either Keelor's 
Church or Bertolet's Meeting where they would be taken 
care of for all time. 

''Within sight of this yard, at Brownback's Church, lies 
the body of Henry Grubb, said to have come from Switzer- 
land in 1743. He was the progenitor of a large family — 
many of those here to-day are among his decendants, his 
grave is only marked by a sandstone which is fast going 
to ruin and we should replace it with a permanent marker. 

''Your Committee thanks the Association for its support 
and asks the acceptance of this rustic stone which marks 
the result of their labors." 



Rev. N. B. Grubb, president of the Association, who pre- 
sided over the exercises of the day. accepted the memorial 
on behalf of the Association in the following words: 

'^Fathers, Brethren, Kinsfolk: We are standing on sacred 
ground and methinks I hear the voice that once spake to 
Moses repeating to us this day that same message, 'Take 
thy shoes from off thy feet for the ground on which thou 
standest is holy ground/ 

"Within the enclosure of this. God's acre, lie the remains 
of seven generations, the decendants of Abraham Grubb 
and Elizabeth, his wife. Just one hundred years ago the 
body of Abraham Grubb. whose memory we have come to 
honor to-day in an especial manner were laid to rest in this 
grave to await the call in the resurrection morning; and 
fifteen years later the body of his beloved wife. Elizabeth, 
was laid by his side, in the hope that they both would have 
part in that first resurrection and together be with their 
Lord and Master in His Kingdom for evermore. 

*AVhen we remember these sturdy and God-fearing an- 
cestors, we feel that it is not mere sentiment that has 
brought us here, but that we have come to perform a 
.^acred dutv. a dutv we owe them for the goodly heritage 



i 




REV. N. B. GRUBB 

Pastor First Mennonite Church, Philadelphia, Pa. 

President Grubb Family Association 



they have handed clown to us throii.G:h the many generations. 

"Love and gratitude prompted this Association to direct 
the a])pointment of a committee, that a suitable marker be 
procured and placed to mark the graves of Abraham and 
Elizabeth Grubl^. The committee has performed the work, 
assigned to them and we rejoice together at the result of 
their work. 

"The duty of our committee was well performed in the 
selection and the erection of this stone, and now they pre- 
sent this memorial of imperishable granite, which stands 
before you. Grand and massive in its proportions, emble- 
matic of strength and fortitude, conspicuous in its appropri- 
ateness, it exemplies in its rugged exterior, the courage 
and determination and unconquerable spirit of the type of 
men wdio in their day and generation labored with unceas- 
ing devotion for the best interests of their posterity, and 
thus laid the foundation upon which was erected by those 
wdio came after them the greatest and grandest nation and 
its government, ever known to man, a government supported 
by the pillars of justice and equal rights; a government 
over which proudly float the stars and stripes and in its 
folds offering an asylum for the oppressed of all nations, 
vouchsafing to them and their posterity the greatest boon 
to humanity — the enjoyment of civil and religious liberty. 

*Tt is with unfeigned feeling of gratitude, a]^preciating 
the high honor bestowed upon me. that T may this day in 
the name of the Grul)b l'\imily Association and in the name 
of all his decendants, who are known and honored in all 
sections of this favored land, accept this memorial, erected 
to perpetuate the memory of Abraham Grubb and his be- 
loved wife. Elizabeth. 

"Mav T express the wish that this stone of memorial may 
tend to refresh in our memories the momentous events of 
the (lavs of our forefathers, and may we have in our minds 
the higher appreciation of the blessings which through their 



sacrifices have come to us as to no otlier people on the face 
of this old earth. When the children of coming generations 
shall chance to stop before this memorial, and shall ask, 
'What mean ye by this stone,' tell them that by the God- 
fearing and self-sacrificing life of our forefathers they have 
secured to us and to them, through toils, and sufferings and 




MARTIN GROVE BRUMBAUGH, Ph. D., L. L. D. 
Superintendent Public Schools, Philadelphia, Pa. 

privations and by their patriotism, these liberty-loving pio- 
neers, civil and religious liberty, through which we have 
become the grandest and the best nation upon which the 
sun sheds his light." 

At this point the exercises were transferred to the Meet- 
ing House adjoining the cemetery. Here the Misses Ger- 



triulc, Dorothy and Rebecca W'an,s:er of Pottstown sang 
"The Maple Leaf" in honor of the Canadian meml:)er.s of 
the Association, 'Slv. Charles Grubb, of Toronto, joining 
them. 

The chairman then read a letter from Dr. IVIartin G. 
Brumbaugh, Superintendent of the Philadelphia Schools, 
who was to be one of the speakers. He deeply regretted to 
be obliged to be absent, but on account of the serious ill- 
ness of his mother, he considered it his first duty to be near 
her side. 

Hon. Samuel W. Pennypacker, former Governor of Penn- 
sylvania, who was also an honored guest of the Association, 
was then introduced and spoke as follows : 

'^^Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen : It is a great 
pleasure to me to be permitted to participate in your cele- 
bration. I am not a Grubb in any way and 1 was unaware 
that I had any relationship with any of you. P)Ut it was my 
good fortune outside a wdiile ago to meet a lady who said 
she was a Grubb and that she was a cousin of mine. 

"There is much to gratify us. We are glad for tlu good- 
ly land; glad for yonder hills; glad for the river with its 
ugly but its dear old Dutch name. We are glad for the bit of 
blue skv we see coming out amongst the clouds. We are 
glad for the promise of rains to put out the forest fires 
and make the wheat grow. We are glad for this assemblage 
of strong men and attractive women. 

"Patriotism, like every other virtue, begins at home. 
Those people who are looking abroad to discover heroes 
arc generally very much mistaken. There are as man}- 
heroes here, around about you, as you will hnil anywhere. 

"1 need not tell you about this locality. When Washing- 
ton and his army were trying to kceji Howe from getting 
into Philadelphia, Washington crossed the river right here 
where wc are. I want to call your att ntion to ;-omeMiin<i 
else. Pennsvlvania is the greatest manufact\n-ing State 



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of this country. TIk" wealth of this conntr\- (k'|)(.n(ls most 
largely upon the development of the manufaeluring inter- 
ests of this and other commonwealths. 'Jdiis is the ir<)n 
age. The man who first found that iron ore could ])c con- 
verted into useful form brought about all the civilization 
that we could see about us. The power of Pennsylvania 
came from its iron industries, and they began near here, on 
the other side of the river, a few miles above, at Pine Forge 
and near Colebrookdale. A few years later a forge was 
Iniilt at Warwick and Coventry and the Potts' people had 
them all. Echvard i^arker had boats to take the iron from 
these places to Philadelphia. The Grubbs helped in this 
early iron industry. T know a little about the (Irubbs. 
When we come down to latir time, we see representatives 
of the family round about us. I heard a man sav that the best 
sermon he ever heard was delivered by the man who in- 
troduced me. T don't ])retend to say he was correct, but 
he was in earnest. 

"I find that there was expected to be here to-day that 
forceful and able man, the representative the L'nited States 
Government had at the head of the schools in Porto Rico, 
who refused the presidency of State College, a man better 
known in edticational circles than any other in the I'nitcd 
States. He is now president and su]HTintendent of the 
Philadelphia public schools, and they tell me he is a Crubb. 

"I met a friend outside who fought in thirty-five battles 
of the Civil W^ar. His grandfather was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary A\'ar, and I discovered he was a (irubb. 
Yoti, therefore, have been doing your work in the world. 

"The world is better to-day than ever it was. Its UK^ral 
principles are more highly develojied. Men and women are 
li\ing on a higher j^lane than e\'er they did before, lint 
there are certain manifestations which do not mean for 
good. It is a period when all are on the move; when the 
substantial is abanrlonod and the light and frivolous attract 



attention. An automobile represents the spirit of the times. 

'There is an instability and uncertainty about our lives. 
Men and women used to stay at home. It was the am- 
bition of every married couple to have a home of their own. 
Now they want to be on the go. They must have a country 
home and a city home. They are not satisfied with their 
husbands and wives and the new^spapers are full of the 
stories of unhappy lives in which affinities figure. This 
indicates the tendency of our life. 

**The value to the community, to the State and to the 
Nation of men and women like yours and mine, who 
have been content to live in this section of the country for 
150 to 200 years and still find pleasure in it; women who 
are taught to cook, men who are taught to raise corn, who 
represent the steady, the stable and the firm, can not be 
overestimated.'' 



Rev. L. Kryder Evans. D.D,, pastor of Trinity Reformed 
Church of Pottstown, F*a., which pastorate he held for 
thirty-seven years, was next introduced and spoke as 
follows : 

"I feel highly complimented at being asked to say some- 
thing here. Governor Pennypacker and I are members of 
the Pennsylvania German Society. I met people to-day 
who say I am related to the Grubbs. We had such a fine 
address by our former Governor that I feel there is little 
for me to say. I would like to say a few words on char- 
acter building. 

"When we recall our fathers and mothers, we are unani- 
mous that they were men and women of character. Char- 
acter is not something inherited. It cannot be purchased. 
It is so peculiarly individual that each one must achieve it 
for himself or herself. 

"You meet to-day in memory of a noble character — a 
man who left his imprint on the community and all be- 



cause of his character. To-day we're buiUHng great build- 
ings, great mansions and we're building up trades and pro- 
fessions, and among other things, we are building character. 
**We may be more concerned about the wealth of our 
children, but there are things we must not forget. The great- 
est investment any boy or girl can make is the investment 
of character. Our possessions are left behind when we 
pass through the portals of death. Character lives. Have 
you any passion for truth, honesty, integrity, righteousness 
Then work up character. If you look back over the history 
of our early ancestors you will find that they were men 
and women of character. May God help you and me to be 
worthv of such ancestors." 



The Committee on Necrology, then reported the deaths 
which occurred since last reunion, through its chairman, 
Rev. C. H. Slinghoff, pastor of Brownback's Reformed 
Church. 

The deaths reported since last reunion were : 

James M. Guest, of Lionville, Pa., September, 1907; aged 
83 years. 

Henry Grubb Keine, of 616 Huntingdon street, Philadel- 
phia, September 10, 1907; aged 90 years. 

Mary Ann Stubblebine. of North Coventry, Pa., April 13, 
1908; aged 76 years, 6 months and 8 days. 

Sarah Harley. of 507 Lincoln avenue, Pottstown, Febru- 
ary 4, 1908: aged 84 years, 10 months and 4 days. 

Henry Grobb, of Lincoln Co., Ontario. February 12. 1908; 
aged 78 years 4 months and 24 days. 

Florence Flizabeth (Irubb. Pottstown. March 17. 1908; 
aged 3 years, 3 month and 13 days. 

Mary Ann Hallman. near r)rownback's Church, ^^ay II, 
1908 ; in 63d year. 

Ella E. G. Paul. 454 Douglass street. Reading, Pa.. June 
13. 1908; aged 43 years. 



Edwin S. Grander, Royersford, Pa., June 13, 1908; aged 
41 years, 2 months and 5 days. 

Willis C. Grander, Temple, Arizona, June 2^, 1908 ; aged 
32 years, i month and 14 days. 

Clyde W. Slifer, near Royersford, Pa., July 26, 1908 ; aged 
2 years, 7 months and i day. 

Arthur L. Slifer. Royersford, Pa., July 28, 1908; aged 18 
months. 

Katie T. (Alderfer) Slifer, Royersford, Pa., July 3, 1908; 
aged 22 years, 8 months and 23 days. 

Peter Grubb Mowrey, Pottstown, June 30, 1908; aged 
y'j years, 9 months and 14 days. 

William Heck, near Parkerford, Pa., September 30, 1908; 
aged 68 years, 6 months and 16 days. 

IMary Grubb Myers, Rutledge, Pa., October 18, 1908; 
aged, 18 years, 11 months and i day. 

Letters of regret were read from the following: R. M. 
Grubb, Keezletown, \'a. : George W\ Grubb, Boonton, N. J.; 
Mrs. Catharine G. Miller Niagara Falls, N. Y. ; Wilson 
Stearly, Philadelphia; J. W. Albright, Hamilton, Ontario; 
Charles Brobb, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba ; Mrs. Orpha 
G. Smith. Toronto, Ontario; A. C. Xess, Port Dalhousee, 
Ontario; Mrs. Frank Gulp St. Catharines, Ontario; Jacob 
F. Grobb, Hamilton, Ontario; Miss Nancy E. Jones, Sweet- 
water, Tennessee, 

The Grubb Family, though the name being variously 
spelled, is an honored one in many countries and its people 
are God-fearing and jmous. As early as 1200 the family 
was prominent in England and had representatives in Par- 
liament. And as early as 1000 the family is found in Den- 
mark as an honored noble family, as the records in the 
archives at Copenhagen amply prove. It is generally ac- 
cepted to be a fact that the Grubbs, Grobs, Krupps, includ- 
ing the German gunmaker of the latter name, are all one 
familv. 



The first Grubb to come to this country was John Grubb, 
who was born in Cornwall, England, in 1652. He came 
to xA^merica from Wiltshire, England, in 1677 and landed in 
New Jersey. In 1679, he bought land in Upland, now 
Chester, Pa. In 1681, he settled at Grubb's Landing on the 
Delaware and gave it its name. From 1692 to 1700, he was 
a member of Penn's Assembly. In 1693, he was com- 
missioned a justice of New Castle, Delaware. He died in 
1708. His son Emanuel, born in 1682, w-as the first white 
male child born in Penn's Province. 

In 1717. Henry Grubb, the father of Abraham Grubb, 
over whose grave the memorial stone was erected and un- 
veiled, October 24. 1908, came with a number of his brethern 
in the faith — ]\Iennonites — from Switzerland, and settled 
in Frederick Township, [Montgomery County, Pennsyl- 
vania. A deed bearing date. September 2"^, 1718 shows that 
he purchased 150 acres of land from David Powell in Fred- 
erick Township. 

Henry Grubb was married to Catharine, daughter of 
Thomas Addis. To this union seven children were born, 
namely, Henry, Conrad, Abraham, Jacob, George, John and 
Elizabeth, 

Henry was married to Anna Maria and had three 

children, 

Conrad married Anna Maria , no issue. 

j.\coi' married IJarbara and had three children. 

Ai'.RAiiAM married Elizabeth Frey, the daughter of Henry 
Frev. one of the first German settlers in Pennsylvania. 
Thcv had ten children, Hannah. C\itharine. Conrad. Henry, 
Elizabeth, F.sher, Abraham (died, aged about 3 years), 
David. .\l:raham and Susanna the two later emigrated ^o 
Canada in 1800, where their decendants number many hun- 
f^reds, and are among the most honored families of the 
Province, 

loHX married .-\nncline Christman and had a number of 



children, 

Elizabeth married first a Mr. Addis, and second, Martin, 
son of Rev. Martin Umer, a Diinkard minister. 

George married Mary and had one son. 

Pictures of some of the earlier Grubbs are fortunately 
preserved and it is the desire of the Executive Committee 
of the Association, that such pictures be preserved, as also 
old papers, book and family records; and where persons are 
willing to entrust them to the xA^ssociation, they will be 
carefully preserved for the interest and benefit of future 
generations. 




MOSES GRUBB 



Moses Grubb was 
the ninth child of 
David and ]Mary 
(Harley) Grubb, and 
grandson of Abra- 
ham and Elizabeth 
(Frey) Grubb, and 
g r e a t-grandson of 
Henry Grubb, the 
pioneer. He w a s 
born Dec. i8, 1807, 
and died April 30, 
1895. He was mar- 
ried first to Hannah, 
daughter of Henry 
Rixtine. Only one 
s o n w a s born to 
them, H e n r y R . 
Grubb, and was the 
grandfather of Mrs. 
George F. P. Wan- 
ger. He was married 
second to Catharine, 
daughter of John and 
Fva H u n s b e rger ; 
third, h e married 
A n n, daughter of 
William and Mary 
S t u b b 1 e bine, and 
w i (1 n w of Daniel 
I'enner. 




David Grubb, a 
g r e a t-grandson of 
Henry Grubb, was 
born May 20, 1774; 
m a r ried Elizabeth 
Grubb, a greatgrand- 
daughter of Henry 
Grubb. Four of 
their children were 
married to Grubbs. 

David Grubb died 
February 13, 1816. 
His wife was born 
July 31, 1783, and 
(lied November 25, 

1857- 



DAVID GRUBB 



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